Removal instructions for VClear

[Metallica]

What is VClear?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that VClear is a fake anti-malware application. These so-called "rogues" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have been compromised. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these threats. In extreme cases the false threats are actually the very trojans that advertise or even directly install the rogue. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.

How do I know if I am infected with VClear?

This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:

You will find this icon in your taskbar:

And see these warnings:

How did VClear get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their site.

How do I remove VClear?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.

• Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  
• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  
• At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
  
  • Update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
    
  • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
    

  [*]Then click Finish.

  [*]If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.

  [*]Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.

  [*]When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.

  [*]Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.

  [*]When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of VClear?

• No, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes VClear completely.
  

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for additional protection.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the VClear rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

C:\Program Files\VClear\VClear.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VClearMain] "C:\Program Files\VClear\VClear.exe" /Boot

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
===============
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
Adds the file ����Ŭ����.lnk"="09:17 09/07/12 682 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\nsa1A.tmp
Adds the file stack.dll"="09:17 09/07/12 10240 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu
Adds the file ����Ŭ����.lnk"="09:17 09/07/12 1522 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\����Ŭ����
Adds the file ����Ŭ����.lnk"="09:17 09/07/12 1534 bytes
Adds the file ����Ŭ���� ����.lnk"="09:17 09/07/12 1557 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\VClear
Adds the file VCUpdateServer.dat"="09:30 05/06/12 560 bytes
Adds the file VClear.exe"="09:20 05/06/12 434176 bytes
Adds the file VCFD.SYS"="03:18 22/05/12 35840 bytes
Adds the file VCEn.dll"="02:28 22/05/12 643072 bytes
Adds the file VCAutoUpdate.exe"="03:07 22/05/12 462848 bytes
Adds the file VCAssist.dll"="03:08 22/05/12 221184 bytes
Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="09:17 09/07/12 225383 bytes
Adds the file SoVCUpdateServer.dat"="08:06 22/08/11 216 bytes
Adds the file partner.ini"="09:17 09/07/12 23 bytes
Adds the file Ep.dat"="04:34 22/12/11 1632 bytes
Adds the file conf.ini"="09:17 09/07/12 84 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\VClear\temp
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\VClear\skin
Adds the file default.avs"="09:09 05/06/12 790891 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\VClear\Lang
Adds the file kr.xml"="03:20 22/05/12 8792 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\VClear\db
Adds the file vsdb.dat"="09:30 05/06/12 172472 bytes
Adds the file pwdb.dat"="09:30 05/06/12 342536 bytes
Adds the file inter.dll"="09:30 05/06/12 231616 bytes
Adds the file filter.dll"="09:30 05/06/12 232 bytes
Adds the file avmon.dat"="09:30 05/06/12 226064 bytes
Adds the file adtc.dat"="09:30 05/06/12 1024 bytes
Adds the file adsub.dat"="09:30 05/06/12 237576 bytes
Adds the file addb.dat"="09:30 05/06/12 903984 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\VClear\Log
Adds the file Report.txt"="09:17 09/07/12 431 bytes

Registry
===============
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VClear]
"Install_Dir"="'C:\Program Files\VClear'"
"ver"="'20120221'"
"pid"="'home'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"VClearMain"="'"C:\Program Files\VClear\VClear.exe" /Boot'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\VClearMain]
"INSTDATE"="'20120216'"
"DisplayIcon"="'"C:\Program Files\VClear\Uninstall.exe"'"
"UninstallString"="'"C:\Program Files\VClear\Uninstall.exe"'"
"DisplayName"="'����Ŭ����'"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.61.0.1400
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.07.09.04

Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
{username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [administrator]

7/9/2012 9:22:19 AM
mbam-log-2012-07-09 (09-22-19).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 179204
Time elapsed: 51 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 1
C:\Program Files\VClear\VClear.exe (Rogue.VClear) -> 1456 -> Delete on reboot.

Memory Modules Detected: 2
C:\Program Files\VClear\VCAssist.dll (Rogue.VClear) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\VClear\VCEn.dll (Rogue.VClear) -> Delete on reboot.

Registry Keys Detected: 1
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\VClearMain (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Detected: 2
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|VClearMain (Rogue.VClear) -> Data: "C:\Program Files\VClear\VClear.exe" /Boot -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\VClearMain|DisplayIcon (Rogue.VClear) -> Data: "C:\Program Files\VClear\Uninstall.exe" -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 6
C:\Program Files\VClear (Rogue.VClear) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\VClear\db (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\Lang (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\Log (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\skin (Rogue.VClear) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\VClear\temp (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Detected: 23
C:\Program Files\VClear\VClear.exe (Rogue.VClear) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\VClear_home.exe (Rogue.Ebiz.K) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\partner.ini (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\conf.ini (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\Ep.dat (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\SoVCUpdateServer.dat (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\Uninstall.exe (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\VCAssist.dll (Rogue.VClear) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\VClear\VCAutoUpdate.exe (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\VCEn.dll (Rogue.VClear) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\VClear\VCFD.SYS (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\VCUpdateServer.dat (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\db\addb.dat (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\db\adsub.dat (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\db\adtc.dat (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\db\avmon.dat (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\db\filter.dll (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\db\inter.dll (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\db\pwdb.dat (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\db\vsdb.dat (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\Lang\kr.xml (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\Log\Report.txt (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\VClear\skin\default.avs (Rogue.VClear) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.

We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

• Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  
• Malware Execution Prevention
  

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.